Asia Dining Guide
From market stalls to tasting menus, the meals that define each city.
Eating well in Asia rarely means spending a lot. Tokyo's ramen counters, Bangkok's street stalls, Singapore's hawker centres and Hong Kong's dim sum halls serve some of the best food in the world at modest prices, alongside fine-dining rooms that rank among the most acclaimed anywhere.
Many popular places do not take reservations and have lines at peak times, so go early or late. In Japan, tipping is not expected; in Thailand, Bali and Hong Kong small tips or service charges are common.
Tokyo
Tonkotsu ramen eaten in single booths, ordered on a paper form.
Kyoto
A soba maker and confectioner with roots going back to the fifteenth century.
Stalls selling pickles, tofu, skewers and sweets to eat as you walk.
Bangkok
Pad thai, including a version wrapped in a thin omelet, served since the 1960s.
Night stalls selling noodles, seafood, dumplings and desserts.
A clean, covered market of prepared Thai food, fruit and produce.
Singapore
A Victorian cast-iron market hall with hawker stalls and a satay street at night.
Chili crab and black pepper crab, two Singapore classics.
Bali
Hong Kong
A large Cantonese banquet hall with dim sum carts and harbor views.
Restaurants change hours, menus and ownership often — check with the restaurant before you go. Listings are editorial picks, not paid placements.
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Get free trip quotes »Asia Dining — FAQ
What should I eat first in Tokyo?
Ramen, sushi, tempura, yakitori and convenience store snacks. Department store food halls and the Tsukiji Outer Market are good places to try many things.
Is hawker food safe in Singapore?
Yes. Stalls are licensed and graded for hygiene, and hawker centres are where Singaporeans eat every day.
What is babi guling?
Balinese spit-roasted suckling pig with crackling skin, served with rice and spicy sides. It is a Balinese specialty, since Bali is Hindu rather than Muslim.